Death Haunts the Stars

by Jeffrey M. Fortney

  On a positive note, I can now report that my back is fully healed! I've even received the blessing of our ship's Chief Medical Officer to say that I'm fully recuperated and returned once more to full-duty status! Now, if I didn't have to read another damn report for the remainder of this voyage, I'd be a truly happy man.

  I've been tempted to speak to Pat Deckard about his obsession with the mysterious power fluxes in the stasis pod compartments. His reports have fallen just shy of suggesting that we have gremlins aboard the ship who are turning stasis pods on and off, seemingly at random, to drive him crazy. I should never have showed him that old Twilight Zone episode! Well, we all have our obsessions.

  "Enter!" the captain said absently as the door to his ready room chimed. After clearing his desk, computer, and tablet of dozens of routine reports, Rivers had decided to take a break before returning to the bridge. He was watching an episode from another of his favorite old television programs.

  The door opened and the ship's XO stepped into the room. "Ah ha! I caught you," she said with a chuckle. "Watching more of your old sci-fi television shows are you?"

  Rivers had to chuckle himself. His love of old television programs was well known to his officers and crew, particularly those of the science fiction genre. "Not today," he replied. "I'm actually watching an old show that Charlotte likes. You know she's into mysteries and detective genres, right? This is an episode from an early 21st Century series about a team of naval criminal investigators. They investigate crimes against the U.S. Navy...that's the old water navy, by the way...and naval personnel." Rivers invited O'Reilly to take a seat and watch part of the episode with him.

  "See, they have an image of a suspect taken by a hotel security camera following a murder. They're using a facial recognition program to search through multiple computer systems and databases to try to identify him and find other data about him." On the wall screen, members of the investigation team watched as an antique computer display flashed a rapid series of images next to the image of the suspect. As Rivers and O'Reilly watched, the flashing images suddenly stopped. The faces on both sides of the antique display closely resembled each other. The technician pressed some keys and information related to the suspect began to appear on the screen.

  O'Reilly turned to Rivers and said, "We need to get Mac in here...right now!" Rivers looked at her questioningly for a moment then realized what his executive officer was thinking of.

  Rivers activated his command implant and sent out a call to his chief security officer. "Mac! I need you and your top tech person in my ready room ASAP!"

  "Trouble, James?" Bradley asked with concern evident in his 'electronic' voice.

  "No, Meaghan and I may have an idea that may help us with our saboteur search!"

  "On my way! I'm bringing Allison along, too!"

  "Good! Rivers out!"

  **********

  Commander McLelland Bradley, Dr. Allison Schmidt, and SGT Samuel Turkel arrived soon after. Rivers had each of them sit and watch the facial recognition scene of the antique television program. When it was over, Rivers turned off the wall screen.

  "So, what you're suggesting is that we take the data we have been reviewing and run it through a series of cross correlating database searches using facial recognition?" Bradley asked for clarification. He looked over at Allison Schmidt and Samuel Turkel to see their expressions before turning his gaze back to the captain and XO.

  "It's a thought!" said O'Reilly.

  Bradley nodded, "And a damn good one! The police back on Earth still use techniques much like these...although the technology is somewhat newer and they still can't solve a mystery in under an hour." He grinned at his friend, James, as he gently teased him about his love of old television programs. Rivers returned the grin in the spirit it was given. "We use facial recognition programs for other purposes aboard star vessels, such as security access or logging into a computer. Of course, Fleet Security has never run into a situation quite like this before."

  "Do you think we can do something like this aboard the Connie?" Rivers asked.

  Schmidt and Turkel began talking rapidly with each other. The two quickly roughed out a number of modifications that would need to be made to Schmidt's and Bradley's original program. Plus they would need to integrate that program with a facial recognition program. "It's doable, sir!" said Turkel. "But I'll need some help from the computer technos on some stuff. Dr. Schmidt can help us with the criminal mental profile data, we can access the personnel records that the XO and Commander Bradley have been reviewing, the ship's video logs, historic data, and so on. It's going to take some time to program, some serious computer power, and some time to run, but it's doable!"

  "Okay, Mac, get your team together and let's see what they can do!" ordered Rivers. "XO, you and Mac will be the project managers on this. Dr. Schmidt, I realize this may take more of your time away from your patients and I do apologize. I'll explain things to your department chief, okay? Dismissed then!"

  En route to the Security Section, Bradley contacted LCDR Denise Radek, who was in charge of the Conestoga's Computer Systems Division. Bradley explained that he needed the best hardware and software technicians in the CSD to assist with a classified project for Captain Rivers. Radek said she had a person who was the best in both areas, a LT Colin Phipps, and could free him up immediately. Bradley thanked her and asked that Phipps report to the security chief's office ASAP!

  Thirty minutes later, Bradley had his team assembled in the Security Briefing Room and was preparing to brief them. After introductions were completed, Bradley, Schmidt, and Turkel outlined the project to Phipps. Phipps took detailed notes throughout the briefing, listing programming ideas, equipment needs, power requirements, and so on. Occasionally, Phipps would ask a question to clarify some point then add the response to his notes. At the end of the briefing, Phipps went back over his notes with the others to see if he had missed anything.

  Finally, he put his notepad down, looked at Bradley, and said, "It's quite doable, Commander. Since you'll want to keep control on this, I assume that you have an office or other compartment here in Security that we can use?" Bradley nodded and Phipps continued, "Good! I'll need to run back to CSD and draw some equipment, pick up my tools, and such."

  "Excellent, lieutenant," said Bradley. "SGT Turkel can assist you with that and with the work on project."

  "Thank you, sir!" Phipps responded. "Shall we, SGT Turkel?" With that the young lieutenant and sergeant left the briefing room. Bradley called in two other security team members and had them clear the junk out of a large, seldom used storage room and then move in some table and desk chairs.

  Phipps and Turkel arrived an hour and a half later with two personnel transports loaded to overflowing with monitors, cables, two printers, a server, and a variety of other equipment and tools. Bradley met them at the door to the compartment.

  "Gentlemen, welcome to the new Investigative Computer Command Center. Let's call it the IC3 for short, okay?" asked Bradley. Phipps and Turkel readily agreed.

  Bradly looked at all the gear in the transports and said, "I'll get you some help to carry all this stuff in!" With the help of several security personnel, they moved everything into the compartment set aside for the project.

  Phipps looked at the tables for a moment then rearranged them to allow access from all sides. He opened floor panels between the center table and the nearby wall to have access to the computer access nodes and power boxes in the wall. Next, he and Turkel assembled a frame and secured it to the tables to hang their monitors on. With the frame up, they carefully mounted four large monitors on the bottom row, then added several smaller monitors above that row.

  Turkel quickly connected various video, audio, and power cables to each monitor and ran them to a junction box in the floor beneath and behind the tables. While Phipps completed the connections between that junction box and the corresponding systems in the wall, Turkel set a couple of scanners, wireless keyboards, and other i
nput devices on the table top. Next, Phipps connected a wireless receiver to the junction box and then to the back of the center table. Finally, they connected two printers to their elaborate new computer station.

  Commander Bradley watched the two computer specialists in awe as they worked quickly and virtually silently assembling the new system. It looks like a well-choreographed dance created from uncontrolled chaos, he thought. He remained silent, almost afraid to disturb the computer specialists as they worked their magic. Three hours later, they had their new Investigative Computer Command Center set up. Turkel began running some basic system tests while Phipps pulled a small case from a hip holster he wore.

  Phipps laid the case on a table next to one of the keyboard. He opened the case to reveal numerous high density digital storage drives. These drives measured about 1 inch wide by 1 inch high by 3 inches long and had a universal data connection on one end. Next, he checked with Turkel who told him it would take at least another 15 minutes to finish the system tests. "No problem, I'll go get us some coffee," Phipps replied and left the room. When he returned a short time later, Turkel thanked him for the cup of java and reported that their new computer system was fully operational.

  "Wonderful! Now to work on the programming," said the CSD lieutenant. He sat down at the console near his HDDS drives and set his coffee mug down. "Let's see...where shall we start?" he asked absently as he looked at the labels on his drives. He pulled two of the drives from the case and plugged them into UDC connections in the panel in front of him. Phipps opened a window to each drive, found the files he was looking for, and opened several programming files, positioning the open files on two of the small monitors above his station. He plugged in another HDDS and opened the facial recognition program file. Next, he opened his favorite program builder. On another monitor, the lieutenant made copies of the databases and the Schmidt-Bradley program from the ship's main computer system and stored them on a server that he had set up in Computer Services Division for their use.

  When he was ready, Phipps turned to Turkel who had pulled up a chair next to his. "Well, Sam, are you ready?"

  "Let's do it, Lieutenant!" replied the Turkel. Phipps began to pull pieces of code from his many open files and plugged them into key spots in his copy of the original search program. Occasionally, he would ask Turkel to run a test on a part of the code. Once or twice Phipps and Turkel had to stop and backtrack through their code to locate and fix an error.

  Bradley checked in on Phipps and Turkel again at 2100 hours. "How's it going, gentleman?" he asked.

  "It's coming along nicely, Commander!" Lieutenant Phipps replied. "We've still got several hours of programming to complete, then we'll need to integrate the database information and the facial recognition programs. Dr. Schmidt dropped by a little while ago and dropped off updated version of her database files. After that, Turk and I will need to run some sims. I'm thinking we'll have a better handle on where we're at first thing in the morning."

  "So you plan to work through the night then?" Bradley asked.

  Phipps smiled and replied, "Not a problem for me, Commander! I usually get by on about four hours of sleep. A 15-minute power nap sets me up for an additional three to four hour stretch. Turk plans to grab a little sleep while I program, then run some tests while I nap. We'll be okay, sir; really!"

  Bradley nodded then said, "Well, I'll have the duty officer or NCO check in on you guys from time to time to see if you need some food or coffee. Okay?"

  "Much appreciated, Commander!"

  "All right...goodnight then, gentlemen!" Bradley called out as he turned to leave the compartment. He paused at the Duty Desk and left orders for someone to check on the Phipps and Turkel every hour on the hour. As he walked to his quarters, Bradley used his comm unit to send an update to the captain.

  Chapter 15

  Ship's Log

  Terran Colonial Vessel Conestoga

  Earthdate: December 25, 2219

  Captain James B. Rivers, Commanding

  Day: 94

  Merry Christmas! Or it would be, if we didn't still have the threat of sabotage hanging over our heads. The Conestoga remains fully operational and on course for Camadin. Most of the crew and passengers now appear quite confident of the success of our mission. I wish Commander Bradley and I felt as confident as they do. There are just too many unanswered questions...too many unknowns!

  The greatest gift Mac and his team could give me is a bunch of answers to our problems. Mac's team has begun cross indexing the data we have. Phipps says the new program is running at maximum speed. Now if it would just help us solve this damn mystery...

  James! the neuroelectronic voice of Commander Mac Bradley popped into Captain Rivers command implant and thus into his mind. Could you come down to Security ASAP? And bring Meaghan with you!

  On my way! Rivers replied as he rose from his chair and made for the bridge. Exiting his ready room, Rivers started to signal Commander O'Reilly but she had apparently received a similar neuroelectronic message from Bradley and was already moving towards the elevator. Rivers spoke quickly to his Second Officer, Lieutenant Commander Raphael Ramos, "Rafe, you have the conn." Then the ship's two senior officers stepped into the elevator and its doors closed shut.

  Moments later, Rivers and O'Reilly entered the IC3. Bradley, Schmidt, Phipps, and Turkel were already there. Rivers got right to the point and asked, "What have you got for us, Mac?"

  Bradley met the captain and first officer with a broad grin on his face. "Skipper, we may have blown this case wide open!"

  Rivers chuckled and asked, "Have you started watching some of Charlotte's old detective programs, Mac?"

  Looking slightly confused, Bradley paused before replying, "Uh, no sir! That's what modern police and security personnel say when they get the clues that might help them solve a case!"

  Rivers chuckled again. "Well, show us what you've discovered, then!" he told his security chief.

  "Yessir!" Bradley responded brightly and pointed to the displays. Bradley and the rest of his team took turns talking as they described the information on the screens. From time to time, Phipps or Turkel would advance a display to the next major data point. A half hour later, they completed their briefing. Rivers and O'Reilly stood silently for several minutes, evaluating the information they had just received.

  Finally, Rivers asked, "So, what do you recommend we do next?"

  An even broader smile played across Bradley's face before he replied, "Why, Captain, we thought you'd never ask!" Bradley and his team quickly laid out a daring plan of action, occasionally using the various displays to help them. From time to time, Rivers or O'Reilly would ask a question or recommend an alteration to the plan.

  Another hour passed before they worked out all of the details. Rivers, O'Reilly, Bradley, and Schmidt left the room to meet face-to-face and privately with specific individuals around the Conestoga. Rivers met first with Commander Pat Deckard in Engineering then swung by Lieutenant Commander Truscott's office to speak with her. O'Reilly returned to the bridge to brief the personnel there. Bradley pulled in his senior security personnel and explained what they and their personnel would need to do. Schmidt went to the Med Center and asked for a private conference with Dr. Rivers and the other senior medical personnel.

  A half hour later, the ship's public address system "all-call" whistled throughout the ship. "Attention, all personnel! This is Captain Rivers! On behalf of the senior officers and myself, we would like to invite each of you to attend a special Christmas gathering and meal in the main dining facility this afternoon beginning at 1600 hours. We will also make arrangements so that on-duty personnel will be will take turns attending so that everyone may enjoy the festivities! Thank you!"

  Clicking off his microphone, Rivers smiled at O'Reilly. Phase One complete! he sent to her neuroelectronically. She nodded her receipt of the captain's message.

  And so, over the next few hours, most crewmembers and colonists alike prepared themselve
s for the unexpected Christmas event. Unbeknownst to the vast majority of the ship's company, two other groups of personnel went about their own agendas.

  **********

  Personnel began arriving at the Main Dining Facility by 1545 hours. They found that the auxiliary hatches to the facility were closed and locked and thus they had to enter through the MDF's large, primary entrance hatch. There they found the captain and his wife, resplendent in their dress uniforms, were already on hand to welcome the early arrivals. The Rivers took time to shake hands and speak with each person as they entered the MDF. Then they would direct them to the many tables positioned around the large compartment. The primary lights in the MDF had been dimmed, colorful holiday lights were draped around the room, flashing on and off. Christmas music was coming from speakers throughout the room. All in all, it was a very festive environment.

  Two decks down and several bulkheads aft, three men sat in the Investigative Computer Command Center and monitored the facial recognition software as it ran and identified each person entering the dining facility. With the use of cameras throughout the ship, they had already confirmed the identities of and cleared the majority of the ship's crew.

  Suddenly, a red warning bar with a name in white letters appeared under an image of a man and a woman on one monitor. A label attached to lower frame of the monitor read "MDF". Commander Mac Bradley scanned the name on the screen then activated his command implant. "Bingo, Skipper! Milos Scarpos and his wife, Bella, are on our suspect list."